Law & Order: Decorated K-9 Passes Away; 7 Inmates OD at County Jail; Massive Raid Yields a Toddler & an OD’d K-9 + Half-a-million Fentanyl Pills
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Law & Order: Decorated K-9 Passes Away; 7 Inmates OD at County Jail; Massive Raid Yields a Toddler & an OD’d K-9 + Half-a-million Fentanyl Pills
A Lake Stevens detective remains on leave as shooting probe enters month five; Everett’s third Officer-Involved Shooting in just over 2 months places four more LEOs on leave.
This week’s crime update features seven stories from around the area including updates on a series of officer-involved-shootings in Everett, the story of Ronin, a beloved retired K-9, an update as the independent probe into Lake Stevens’ fatal Jan. 13 shooting enters its fifth month…the story of seven inmates overdosing at once at the county jail…and we’ve also got news of a raid that located a half-million fentanyl pills and a 5-year-old child — but that’s not all, the sheriff’s K-9 was treated for exposure to fentanyl after the raid and we’ve got all the details plus the story behind the LSPD officer holding the child in our cover photo.
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Decorated K-9 Ronin Passes Away
The Snohomish County K9 Foundation announced the passing of Ronin, an extremely popular retired K9 over the weekend.
“It is with a heavy heart as we announce the passing of a community favorite, K9 Ronin.
According to the K9 foundation, Ronin served along side his partner, Deputy Wallin with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) before retiring last spring, garnering an unprecedented track record during his career.
The SCSO marked Robin’s passing with a statement.
“We are forever grateful for K-9 Ronin’s decade of service to the residents of Snohomish County. K-9 Ronin had hundreds of deployments and captures during his career before his retirement last year.”
“He was loved dearly by our community and will be greatly missed. Thank you K-9 Ronin, Rest In Peace.”
Video Credit: A HUGE Production via SCSO.
Third Fatal Everett Officer-Involved-Shooting in 2+ Months
A 24-year old man is dead and four area officers are on administrative leave pending an investigation after Everett’s third fatal officer-involved-shooting in just over two months.
The Snohomish County sheriff’s Violent Offender Task Force served a warrant on a 24-year-old suspect just after noon at the Rivers Landing Apartment on 9th Street, according to a law enforcement release.
Following an initial exchange of words, the man reportedly fired a gunshot and ran away, per a spokesperson for the King County Independent Force Investigation Team, the third-party agency tasked with investigating the police use of force.
The man was briefly on the loose, with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office issuing a social media bulletin describing the shooter at-large as a tall, skinny, white male wearing a black tank top and dark pants.
“Armed and dangerous, do not approach,” the sheriff’s office tweeted. “If seen call 911. Updates to follow.”
By the time of the next update, the armed suspect had suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
Four officers — two Everett police sergeants, one Lynnwood sergeant and one SCSO deputy — were placed on the standard administrative leave pending a deadly force investigation.
At this rate - and given the notoriously slow pace at which area OIS investigators work —one wonders if they’ll have many officers left who aren’t on paid administrative leave.
Lake Stevens Detective Remains on Leave as Investigation Approaches Fifth Month
A Lake Stevens detective involved in the shooting death of a carjacking suspect January 13 remains on administrative leave some four months after the incident.
The Snohomish County Multi Agency Response Team charged with investigating the shooting is required to provide weekly public updates on current investigations.
They’ve re-posted the same update each Friday for eight straight weeks, stating that the initial examination of evidence has been conducted and no new information is available.
Raid: Half-a-million Fentanyl pills, a 5-year-old child recovered and a K9 OD’s?
On Thursday, police served a search warrant on an address near Merrill Creek Parkway in Everett.
The drug unit and law enforcement partners seized over half a million fentanyl-laced pills, 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, 2.8 kilograms of cocaine, close to a pound of heroin, over 1 pound of fentanyl powder, six guns and $250,000 of cash.
Several suspects inside the apartment were arrested. A 5-year-old child was found inside the apartment, and “removed from potentially hazardous conditions” by Child Protective Services, police said.
Finally, During the search, Sully, a working narcotics dog named Sully was found unresponsive in his kennel after working in the apartment for about ten minutes, police said. Sully’s assigned officer obtained naloxone and reportedly administered three or four doses to the K-9. Sully began to come around by the time he was transported to an animal hospital and was reportedly back to his usual self the next day..
Lake Stevens Officer Comforts Lost Child
Per LSPD release:
“On May 19th, 2023, Lake Stevens Officers responded to a critical incident in Everett to assist multiple agencies.
At the hectic scene, a child became separated from their parent, and a citizen caught this photo as one of our officers was keeping them safe and calm. The child was soon after reunited with their parent.
At a scene like this, being able to switch from potential suspect apprehension to caring for a lost, scared child is an example of the complex skill set our officers possess.
We are proud of our officers and their continual efforts to care for the community.”
Mass Overdose at Snohomish County Jail; 7 Inmates Transported to the Hospital
EVERETT, WA - Just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday, jail officials called a medical emergency at the county jail in Everett after a corrections deputy noticed an inmate displaying symptoms of an opiate overdose.
The deputy called for jail medical staff to respond and while jail staff were treating the first inmate, a second inmate in the same module began displaying similar signs of an overdose.
A total of seven inmates began displaying physical signs of an overdose and were administered Narcan.
Everett Fire responded and transported all seven inmates to Providence Regional Medical Center.
All the inmates were conscious when transported and are expected to survive. Five of the inmates have since been released from the hospital and have returned to the jail.
The Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force responded to the scene and is conducting a criminal investigation.
The housing module was locked down and all inmates were strip searched.
At this time, detectives believe fentanyl was brought inside the facility by an inmate and have identified a suspect. Fentanyl was recovered from the suspect’s cell.
Due to the rise in fentanyl in our community, in early 2023, all Snohomish County Corrections Deputies began carrying Narcan while on duty.
By Friday morning, two charges were referred on a male inmate for possession of a controlled substance inside a correctional facility.
The inmate is a 37 year old from Arlington and was booked into jail on May 16, 2023 for Theft 3 warrants stemming from Arlington PD investigations.
The male suspected of introducing the substance to the jail was not among the 7 inmates who were transported in response to this incident.